The Private James Burke Collection

These items from a brief narrative of James' POW experience; there is a British Red Cross card detailing that he is missing (dated 15/7/1918) and a German postcard, dated 7th April, sent to Dublin informing relatives he is a prisoner of war in Germany. Given the gap between these two dates, it seems likely that the postcard took some time to reach his family. The third item is a repatriated prisoner of war form, dated 6th March, 1919

The Private James Burke Collection

Titlu alternativ

Private James Burke - memorabilia

Povestire

Private James Burke (Reg. No. 20864) Regiment: Royal Irish Fusiliers, Batt: 1st, Coy: 13, Platoon: 7.
He was reported missing in action on 21 March, 1918. James had been wounded by a German bullet, which miraculously hit the left arm of an old metal crucifix he was carrying. James always maintained that as he lay seriously wounded, a young German officer approached him and carried him to a field hospital where he was cared for. He always credited the young German officer for having saved his life. James then became a prisoner of war.
Amongst the items that I brought for recording are:
1) the metal crucifix with the indent caused by the bullet on te left arm. Please also note the numbers 1915-1916 etched at the back
2) British Red Cross card detailing that he is missing (dated 15/7/1918)
3) A German postcard, dated 7th April, sent to Dublin informing relatives he is a prisoner of war in Germany
4) A repatriated prisoner of war form, dated 6th March, 1919
5) 2 British war medals - one service medal and one victory medal
6) 2 small German medals, presumably brought back from the war.
These artifacts were given to me by James Burke's son, Gary Burke for safe-keeping when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in December 2002. Gary died on 7th March 2003. Gary Burke was the godfather of my wife, MArgaret Beatty. The date of the roadshow was the 96th anniversary of the day James Burke was wounded!

1) the metal crucifix with the indent caused by the bullet on te left arm. Please also note the numbers 1915-1916 etched at the back
2) British Red Cross card detailing that he is missing (dated 15/7/1918)
3) A German postcard, dated 7th April, sent to Dublin informing relatives he is a prisoner of war in Germany
4) A repatriated prisoner of war form, dated 6th March, 1919
5) 2 British war medals - one service medal and one victory medal
6) 2 small German medals, presumably brought back from the war.